FORMER CHAMPION BACK IN TRUCK SERIES
Timaru driver John Hepburn will continue to display his remarkable versatility when he returns to the sport of truck racing this weekend at Round 1 of the New Zealand Super Truck Championship at Manfeild Park in Feilding.
Hepburn, the 2007 New Zealand Super Truck Champion, will be at the wheel of the R.V. Cooper Bedford that he drove to championship succcess two season's ago. He did not compete in the series last season although he has been far from idle, continuing to fashion an outstanding motorsport record that is virtually unparalleled in New Zealand.
After a distinguished career in motorcycling that saw him win countless trophies throughout New Zealand and at the legendary Isle Of Man circuit, John has made a remarkable transition to four wheels. Since 2004, in addition to his 2007 New Zealand Super Truck Championship title, he has also won the Class A Super Truck title twice and the Class B title once. He has also been very successful in cars, proving extremely competitive in both the Kumho Sport Saloon Series and in his class of the South Island Endurance Series.
He arrives at Manfeild this weekend fresh from his first top ten finish in the BNT V8s Championship where he is competing in his first full season with his own team.
Hepburn describes the art of racing a truck by saying, "it is like driving a plank." He continues, "there's nothing much wrong with it apart from understeer which you also get with a car but there's nothing much right with it either. The truck is fast out of corners to 100 mile an hour where the engine is governed."
The Bedford has been fitted with a twin turbo and some weight has been moved around for the 2008/2009 championship campaign and Hepburn will have his first "skid" in the refurbished truck on Friday at Manfeild.
He is clearly relishing the prospect. "The goal is the championship but there is an element of luck required in all motor racing. If it all stays together there is no reason we can't take the title." One issue Hepburn will have to confront towards the end of his challenge is where to be on the weekend of the final round in March. "The final round of the Super Truck Championship clashes with the final round of the BNT V8s Championship so some decisions will have to be made closer to the time."
Meanwhile the South Canterbury competitor has no qualms about changing from cars to trucks throughout the season. "I used to go from motorcycles to trucks and the transition from truck to car is easier. At Timaru in January I will be driving both the Commodore and the truck at the same meeting. I am lucky that I can jump in practically anything and get it sorted quickly."
That is fortunate as following this weekend he will be back in the John Hepburn Racing Commodore at Powerbuilt Tools Raceway at Ruapuna in Christchurch. He is looking forward to two big weekend's of top level motorsport. "It's two full-on weekend's." John is clearly just as enthused about his next big car meeting as he say's "we've got things to try." "The final set we had on the car at Pukekohe was good and we want to continue on that path."
Hepburn will take part in two test sessions at Manfeild on Friday before qualifying on Saturday afternoon. The first race takes place later in the day over 6 laps of the 3.03 kilometre circuit. Three more races will be held on Sunday, two over 8 laps, plus a 6 lap non-championship event to end the programme on Sunday afternoon.
John's appearances in the 2008/2009 New Zealand Super Truck Championship are supported by Timaru Metal Recyclers.
